Learning to Say 'No' with Grace

Hey Risers!

Chances are that getting to your best yes is going to require a no. For a long time, I struggled with this a lot. It wasn't just about saying yes too often; it was about how hard it felt to say no. I worried about disappointing people or missing opportunities. But, I learned something important—how you say 'no' can make a big difference.

We don't want to let our friends or family down, and we want to be seen as reliable and kind. But here’s the thing: saying 'no' doesn't mean you're unkind or unreliable. It means you know your limits and respect yourself enough to honor them.

I learned the power of a graceful 'no.' It wasn't easy at first, but I realized saying no isn't about letting people down; it's about respecting your own limits and priorities.

Here's how you can start saying 'no' with grace:

1. Take a Pause: You don't have to answer right away. It's okay to say, "Let me think about it," and give yourself time to decide.

2. Be Honest, But Kind: If you decide to say no, be honest about why. You can say something like, "I'd love to help, but I have a lot on my plate right now."

3. Offer an Alternative: Sometimes, you can't do what's asked, but you can suggest another way to help. Like, "I can't join the committee, but I can help with the event setup."

4. Be Respectful: You can say no while still being kind and considerate. A simple, “I really appreciate you thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now,” shows respect for both their request and your own limits.

This may not be the easiest of things for you to do; however, the rewards will help you to see the importance of setting your boundaries. The more you practice saying no, the easier it becomes. I started having more time for things that were important to me, and I felt less stressed and more in control of my life.

Learning to say 'no' with grace is about making choices that are right for you. It's about filling your life with yeses that make you excited to get up in the morning.  Think about something you really want to say yes to, and remember, it's okay to say no to make space for it. Your time and energy are precious. Use them on things that bring you joy.